Milk important for health, sustainability
As a registered dietitian with a master of science degree and more than 40 years of experience educating people about health and nutrition, I was troubled by Kathy Pollard’s Jan. 9 letter about milk.
Milk provides a unique package of calcium plus eight key nutrients. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognizes the importance of dairy foods for good bone health by recommending three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk for people ages nine and older. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends three servings of dairy foods a day for children (four servings/day for adolescents) to help optimize bone health. USDA also endorses dairy foods; they are classified as “Foods to Increase.” Milk is the No. 1 food source of three nutrients Americans fall short on — calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
Studies show dairy foods, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, colon cancer and metabolic syndrome.
It is always recommended to consult with a registered dietitian who can help identify foods that can help you meet your dietary needs. To find one in your area, visit Eatrightpa.org.
It’s also important to note that dairy farmers live on or near the land that they farm and understand the importance of protecting natural resources. Practicing environmental stewardship is not only good for communities, their families, and their economic bottom line — it’s the right thing to do. For more information about dairy farming sustainability, link to https://www.americandairy.com/dairy-farms/dairy-and-the-environment/.
Althea Zanecosky, Lafayette Hill
The writer is a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian/nutritionist.
This story was originally published January 28, 2018 at 10:04 PM with the headline "Milk important for health, sustainability."